Townsville tackles dengue outbreak

By Nathalie Fernbach and David Chen

Townsville authorities are asking residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites and remove breeding sites from around their homes following confirmation of the first locally acquired case of dengue fever for the year.

Late last week a Cranbrook resident was confirmed to have contracted the virus locally.

Townsville Public Health Unit's Dr Steven Donohue says while the city has recorded several cases of the disease this year, they have been imported from overseas and neighbouring areas including Cairns and Innisfail.

"The fact that somebody acquired the infection locally is a different story all together and proves that there are some mosquitoes that are carrying the virus here in Townsville so we could have several cases popping up," he said.

Queensland Health and Townsville City Council staff are working to bring the outbreak under control.

Dr Donohue says the city is likely to see a few more cases if the outbreak is not contained quickly.

"Now is the time particularly if you are in that part of Cranbrook to really go after mosquitoes, prevent bites, use zappers or sprays or mosquito coils, insect repellent."

The best thing is probably just an ordinary can of surface spray and just spray in dark hiding places in and around and under the house," he said.

People with dengue fever symptoms such as severe headaches, sudden onset of fever or severe joint pain are advised to get themselves tested for dengue fever.